Flow regulating device



June 15, 1937. R. T. CORNELIUS FLOW REGULATING DEVICE Filed June 18, 19 36 7 Jmorne'gs Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOW REGULATING DEVICE Richard T. Cornelius, Minneapolis, Minn. Application June 18, 1936, Serial No. 85,926

20 Claims. (01.138-46) My invention relates to flow regulating devices for beer dispensing systems and has for an object to provide a device which may be attached or applied to any existing beer dispensing system b and which will produce uniform flow of the beer without excessive foaming.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a device which is particularly adaptable to use in beer dispensing systems having a relatively high pressure.

An object of the invention resides in providing a device which may be used in conjunction with the ordinary beer faucet.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing separate means for adjusting the rate of flow of the beer sothat the beer faucet may be fully opened in the dispensing of the beer.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a device which may be readily installed within the cooling box of the beer system and behind the wall to which the beer faucet is attached. Another object of the invention resides in providing a control 'member for the device, extending through the front wall of the cooling box 5 and accessible from the exterior thereof.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the device so that the same may be readily cleaned and so that the parts thereof are accessible from the upper portion of the device to permit of removal of said parts upon raising of the cover of the cooling box.

An object of the invention resides in providing the device with a hollow body open at the top and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end uppermost and in further providing a, conical member .within' said boreforming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, said conical member being insertable into said body through the open end thereof. 40 Another object of theinvention resides in providing aclosure for the open end of said body and in further providing a single fastening member for attaching said closure to the body. a

A feature of the invention resides in constructmg said fastening member as a threaded spindle and in slidably mounting said conical member on,

said spindle for axial movement within said bore to vary the cross sectional area of said constrict-' ed passageway.

Another object of the invention resides in providing adjusting means operable from the exterior of the device for sliding said conical member along said spindle.

.A feature of the invention resides'in constructing said adjusting means as a threaded rod screwed into said body and in providing a cam within said body movable with said conical member and engaged by said rod.

An object of the invention resides in constructing said cam beveled and in further constructing the rod with a pointed conical end adapted to engage the beveled surface of the cam.

Another object of the invention resides in arranging said rod for movement transversely of the bore of the body.

An object of the invention resides in providing a spring encircling said spindle and seated at one end against the body and at the other end against a part movable with said conical member for urging said cam into engagement with said rod.

A still further object of the invention resides in causing said spring to frictionally engage the spindle and to hold the conical member and closure mounted on said spindle to facilitate the removal of the parts from the body.

Other objects. of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational sectional view taken through a cooling box of a beer dispensing system and through the center of my improved flow regulating device. 7

Fig. 2 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing certain of the parts in elevation and with the conical member and adjusting means in altered position.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the parts of the invention detached from one another with the body of the device shown in section.

It has been found in the dispensing of beer, that bartenders are accustomed to fully open the beer faucet when the beer is drawn. Where an adjustable faucet has been used it is difficult to educate the bartenders to only partially open the faucet to procure the desired flow, with the result that when the faucet is fully opened the flow is excessive and waste of beer and excess foaming occurs. The present invention provides a construction by means of which the rate of flow can be regulated by separate means whereby the ordinary beer faucet can be used which can be fully opened when it becomes desired to draw off the beer.

The present invention is similar in function and use to the invention disclosed in my applications for patent Ser. No. 46,306, filed October 23, 1935 and Ser. No. 35,784, filed August 12, 1935 and has a number of the same and similar advantages disclosed in these inventions and operates in a similar manner. Enumeration of all of such similar advantages and characteristics will hence not be repeated in this application.

For the purpose of illustrating the application of my invention, I have shown a-portion of a beer dispensing system which is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral ID. This beer dispensing system comprises a tube II which is connected to the beer container or keg. By means of a pump or other suitable pressure device or through the normal pressure in the beer beg, the beer is forced from the keg under pressure into the tube II. pensing the beer, a faucet I2 is employed which may be of any standard design, such as is now well known in the art. This faucet is provided with a spout I3 and an operating lever I4 by means of which the faucet may be opened and closed. A pipe or tube I5 is connected to the threaded neck I6 of the faucet l2 by means of a coupling I1 and ordinarily would be connected to or be part of the tube I I previously referred to.

The faucet I2 in the customary installations is attached to the front wall I9 of .a cooling box or cabinet 2! in which a suitable coil (not shown) is installed, which coil is connected to the tube I I and by means of which the beer is maintained at the proper temperature. The box or cabinet I1 is constructed with a cover 22 removable from the same and serving as a tray on which the beer glasses are placed. Access to the interior of the box or cabinet 2I is had upon removal of this cover through the open upper portion of the box. The specific construction of the box or cabinet 2I and the cooling coil forming no features of the invention have not been disclosed in detail in the drawing, though it can readily be comprehended that any construction such as is now well known in the art may be used for the purpose and that the invention may be applied to any existing beer dispensing system.

My invention comprises a fiow regulating de vice indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I8 which is connected to the two tubes I I and I5 and which controls the flow of the beer entering the faucet I2 in such a manner as to permit of discharge of the beer from said faucet without undue agitation whereby the beer leaves the faucet in a clear and uniform stream. The regulating device I6 consists of a body 23 which is constructed with a circumferentially extending wall 24 and an end wall 25 connected thereto. Wall 24 is provided with a conical bore 26 and is open at the upper portion of the same as indicated at 21.

Within the interior of the body 23 is disposed a conical member 28 of somewhat lesser dimensions than the bore 26, which member is spaced from the walls of the cylindrical portion 24 of body 23 to form an annular passageway 3| of constricted cross sectional area. The member 28 is of a length considerably less than the length of the bore 26 so as to provide chambers 32 and 33 at the ends of the same, which serve respectively as inlet and outlet chambers of the device. At the lowermost portion of the body 23 is provided a nipple 34 which forms an inlet to the de- For the purpose of dis-.

aosacse vice and which communicates with the inlet chamber 32. -A coupling 35 attached to tube It is screwed to the said nipple and brings said tube into communication with inlet chamber 32. A nipple 36,similar to nipple 34 is formed on the upper portion of the circumferential wall 24 of body 23 and communicates with the outlet chamber 33. This nipple is threaded to receive the threaded end of pipe or tube I5 and brings the faucet I2 into communication with'the outlet chamber 33.

For the purpose of closing the open end 21 of the body 23 a closure 31 is employed which is circular in form and which overlies the upper portion of said body. The upper part of the circumferential wall 24 of body 23 is constructed with an annular seat 38. A gasket 4I rests upon this seat and the closure 31 is formed with an annular recess 42 into which this gasket extends. When pressure is applied to the closure 31, a seal is formed between said closure and the body 23.

For the purpose of fastening theclosure in closing position, a vertically arranged spindle 43 is employed which is concentrically arranged with reference to the closure 31 and the bore 26 in body 23. This spindle extends through a hole 44 in a boss 45 at the center of said closure. The lower end 46 of spindle 43 is threaded and is adapted to screw into a threaded hole 41 formed in the lowermost portion of a boss 48 integral with the endwall 25 of body 23. The spindle 43' is constructed with a head 5| which provides a shoulder 52 facing the uppermost portion of the boss 45. This shoulder may be brought into direct engagement with said boss to urge the closure 38 into closing position or a lock washer 53 may be placed between the head M and boss 45 which prevents accidental rotation of the spindle 43 and leakage of beer from the device while the system is in operation. The head 5| is provided with a handle 54 by means of which the same may be rotated to tighten the spindle 43 and firmly clamp the closure 31 in closing position.

The spindle 43, as stated, is axially disposed with respect to the bore 26 of body 23 and is used as a guide for slidably supporting the conical member 26 which may be movedlongitudinally within the bore 26 to vary the cross sectional area of the constricted passageway 3|. For this purpose a sleeve 55 is employed which is securely attached to the conical member 28 in axial alignment therewith. This sleeve slides upon the spindle 43 and projects outwardly beyond both ends of the conical member 28. The upper end of the sleeve 55 is enveloped by means of a tubular projection 56 formed on the inner portion of the closure 31 and in which said sleeve is slidable. This tubular portion encloses the exposed end of the spindle 43 immediately below the boss 45. The lower end of the sleeve 55 which is designated by the reference numeral 51 is slidably received within a socket 56 in the boss 48. By means of this construction the lowermost end of the spindle 43 is likewise protected.

For the purpose of shifting the conical member"28 longitudinally along the spindle 43 a beveled cam 6| is employed which is rigidly attached to the portion 51 of sleeve 55 immediately below the conical member 28. This cam has a beveled cam surface 62 which is utilized in effecting movement of the member 28. In the lowermost portion of the wall 24 of body 23 and in the vertical plane containing the axis of the nipple 36 and the axis of the bore 26, is provided a boss 63 which is internally threaded at aoaaeso 64. An operating member extends intothls boss and is constructed with a threaded head 66 screwed in the threads 64 of said boss. The extreme end of this head is turned down as indicated at 61 and formed with a conical point 68. Point 68 has the same bevel as the beveled or conical surface 62 of cam 6| and is adapted to engage said surface. As the rod 6| is rotated the point 68 is moved transversely of the bore 26 of body 23 and causes axial sliding movement of the conical member 28 within the body 23.

In order to maintain the surface 62 of cam 6| in engagement with the conical point 68 of operating member or rod- 65, a compression coil spring II-is utilized. This spring is contained within an annular space 12 formed in the lowermost portion of the end 51 of sleeve 55. Spring 72 encircles the spindle 43 and is seated at its lower end against a shoulder 13 formed on boss 48 and against another shoulder 14 formed in the sleeve 55 at the end of the annular space 12. By means of this construction the cam 6| is urged upwardly and against'the point 68 of the operating rod 65. To prevent. leakage of beer The operating rod 65 projects outwardly be yond the stuffing box 15 a short distance so that the same does not interfere with'the front wall IQ of the box 2i when the device is installed. For operating the rod 65 an extension shaft 18 is employed which is attached to the rod 65 by means of a coupling 8|. This coupling is constructed with a bore 82 into which the extension 18 and the rod 65 extend. A pin 83 passing through the rod 65 and said coupling hold the said coupling attached to said rod. A set screw 84 threaded into said coupling serves to secure the extension 18 to said coupling. The extension 18 extends through an opening 85 in the wall IQ of cabinet 2| and is provided upon the outer end of the same with a head 86. A handle 81 is attached to said head which serves to rotate extension 18 and correspondingly turn the threaded head 66 of rod 65 in a manner to move the conical point 68 of said head transversely of the bore 26 of body 23 and to effect longitudinal movement of the conical member 28.. By means of the particular construction shown, the device can be installed in any existing cabinet and the hole 85 drilled after the device is in position. Thereafter the extension 18 may be secured to the coupling 8!.

The use of the invention is as follows: After the device has been installed, beer is forced into the device from pipe II by applying pressure to the beer container. In dispensing the beer, handle l4 of faucet I2 is merely manipulated in the customary manner and the faucet completely opened, which allows the beer to escape from the spout I3 thereof. By regulating the handle 81 of the adjusting device the conical member 28 may be moved axiallywithin the bore 26 and the cross sectional area of the passageway 3| varied to increase or decrease the rate of flow through the faucet. Any rate of flow within the limits of the device may be procured. It thus becomes unnecessary to accurately limit the movement of the faucet lever and a careless bartender can dispense beer without foaming equally as well as a bartender using extreme care. A

pointer, not shown, in the drawing, may be used in conjunction with the handle 81 and said pointer caused to move opposite a scale indicating difierent settings of the conical member 28 by means of which the rate of flow can be accurately determined. Such features not constituting patentable subject matter, have not portion 46 of said spindle from the threads 41.

Prior to removal, the head 66 of rod 65 is screwed back so that the point 68 of said head is brought away from and clears the cam 6|. The position of said point is shown in Fig. 3. When the parts become so disposed and the threaded end 46 of spindle 43 is free from the threads 41 of boss 48, the entire operating mechanism of the device, including spindle 43, the conical member 28 and attached parts and the closure 31 may be all lifted upwardly and removed from the device. Spring II at its lower end frictionally engages the spindle 43 and prevents the conical member 28 from being disengaged from said spindle during the removal of the same from the device. After the spindle 43 with attached parts have been removed from body 23, the spindle can be withdrawn from both the closure 31 and the sleeve 55 as indigated in Fig. 3. The device may then be cleaned in accordance with any of the customary methods now in common use for the purpose. If' desired, the closure 31 may be reapplied without the conical member 28 and spring II and theinterior of the device cleaned by'one of the cleaning systems in which steam or some other suitable substance is any existing beer dispensing system and does not require appreciable alteration or reconstruction thereof. With my improved device the proper rate of fiow may be procured without limiting the degree of opening of the beer'faucet. My invention is preferably installed within the cooling cabinet and when so situated is entirely inconspicuous and unnoticeable. With my invention the existing beer faucets may be maintained so as to not change the appearance of the bar fixtures. My invention is highly efllcient in operation and can be regulated to produce any desired rate of flow independently of the operation of the beer faucet. j

Changes in the specific form of my invention. as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems [comprising a hollow body open at therewith a constricted passageway and being of a length less than the length of said bore to provide inlet and outlet chambers at the ends of said bore, an inlet communicating with the inlet chamber, an outlet communicating with the outlet chamber, said conical member being insertable into and removable from said bore through the open end of said body, and a closure for the open end of the body.

2. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at the top and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end uppermost, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway and being of a length less than the length of said bore to provide inlet and outlet chambers at the end of said bore, an inlet communicating with the inlet chamber, an outlet communicating with the outlet chamber, said conical member being insertable into and removable from said bore through the open end of said body, a closure for the open end of the body, and fastening means for holding said closure in closing position, said fastening means having a part disposed above the closure and operable from above the closure. 7

3. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at the top and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end uppermost, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction thercwith a constricted passageway and being of a length less than the length of said bore to provide inlet and outlet chambers at the end of said bore, an inlet communicating with the inlet chamber, an outlet communicating with the outlet chamber, said conical member being insertable into and removable from said bore through the open end of said body, a closure for the open end of the body, and fastening means carried by the closure and engaging the body for holding the closure in closing position, said fastening means having a part extending above the closure and ure for said open end of the body, and a threaded cal member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of the body, and a threaded spindle extending jointly through said closure and conical member and engaging said end member of the body for holding the closure in closing position.

6. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member, at the opposite end of the body, a spindle. extending jointly through said closure and conical member and connected at one end to said end member, and means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure and holding said closure in-closing position.

'7. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of the body, a spindle extending centrally through both said closure and conical member and connected at one end to said end member of the body, and means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure and holding'said closure in closing position.

8. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of the body, a spindle extending centrally through said closure and conical member and connected at one end to said end member of the body, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure and holding said closure in closing position, said spindle serving as a guide, and guide means on said conical member for guiding said conical member for movement along said spindle to vary the cross sectional area of said annular passageway.

9. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of the body, a spindle extending centrally through said closure and conical member and connected at one end to said end member of the body, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure and holding said closure in closing position, said spindle serving as a guide, guide means on said conical member for guiding said conical member for movement along said spindle to vary the cross sectional area of said annular passageway, and means accessible from without said body for moving said conical member along said spindle.

10. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein, a conical member within said bore and forming in conjunction with said bore an annular passageway, means for guiding said conical member for axial movement within said bore to vary the cross sectional area of said passageway, an elongated operating member disposed transversely of the bore and extending intosaid body, and means on the inner end of said operating member for moving said conical member axially within said bore.

. 11. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein, a conical member within said bore and forming in conjunction with said bore an annular passageway, means for guiding said conical member for axial we. HFLS AND TUBULAR CONDUITS OUOI uu movement within said bore to vary the cross sectional area of said passageway, a beveled cam within said body and movable with said conical member, and an elongated operating member extending into said body and engaging said cam and movable transversely of the body to procure axial movement of the conical member.

12. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith, a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of the body, a spindle extending centrally through said closure and conical member and connected at one end to said end member of the body, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure and holding said closure in closing position, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached to said sleeve and a tubular member issuing from said closure and encircling said sleeve, said tubular member enclosing the portion of the spindle between the closure and said sleeve.

13. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of the body, a spindle extending centrally through said closure and conical member and connected at one end to said and member of the body, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure and holding said closure in closing position, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached to said sleeve, a beveled cam attached to said sleeve, and an elongated operating member extending into said body and engaging said cam and movable transversely of the body to procure axial movement of the conical member.

14. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of the body, a spindle extending centrally through said closure and conical member and connected at one end to said end member of the body, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure and holding said closure in closing position, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached to said sleeve, a beveled cam attached to said sleeve, a threaded rod formed with a conical end, said rodv being screwed into said body and movable transversely of the body, said conical end engaging said beveled cam to procure axial movement of the conical member.

15. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body,

an end member at the opposite end or said body, a threaded spindle extending through said closure and secured at one end to said end member, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure to hold the same in closing position, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached to said sleeve and being movable along said spindle and within said bore to vary the cross sectional area of said passageway, a beveled cam secured to said sleeve, a rod threaded in said body and having a conical end for engagement with said cam, a spring encircling said spindle and seated at one end against the end member of the body and at its other end against said sleeve and urging said cam in engagement with said conical end of the rod.

16. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an and member at the opposite end of said body, a threaded spindle extending through said closure and secured at one end to said end member, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure to hold the same in closing position, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached to said sleeve and being movable along said spindle and within said bore to vary the cross sectional area of said passageway, a beveled cam secured to said sleeve, a rod threaded in said body and having a conical end for engagement with said cam, said rod extending at right angles to said spindle, a spring encircling said spindle and seated at one end against the end member of the body and at its other end against said sleeve and urging said cam into engagement with said conical end of the rod.

17. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the opposite end of said body, a threaded spindle extending through said closure and secured at one end to said end member, means on the other end of said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure to hold the same in closing position, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached to said sleeve and being movable along said spindle and within said bore to vary the cross sectional area of said passageway, a beveled cam secured to said sleeve, a rod threaded in said body and having a conical end for engagement with said cam, said rod extending at right angles to said spindle, a spring encircling said spindle and seated at one end against the end member of the body and at its other end against said sleeve and urging said cam into engagement with said conical end of the rod, said rod being movable laterally a sufiicient distance to clear said cam whereby said cam and conical member may be withdrawn from said bore through the open end of the body.

18. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprisingla hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end oi the body,

a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the open end of the body, a spindle extending centrally through said closure and conical member, said spindle being threaded at its inner end and being screwed into the end member of the body, a head on said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure to urge the same into closing position, means on said head for rotating said spindle, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached tosaid sleeve, a socket in said end member for the reception of the lowermost end of said sleeve, said sleeve being formed at its lower end with an annular space, a spring disposed within said space and seated at one end against the lowermost portion of said socket and at its other end against said sleeve, said spring fitting snugly at its lowermost end about said spindle and holding said conical member in position upon said spindle, and means for sliding said conical member along said spindle.

19. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end of the body, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway, a closure for said open end of the body, an end member at the open end of the body, a spindle extending inwardly through said closure, said spindle being threaded at its inner end and being screwed into the end member of the body,

a head on said spindle providing a shoulder for engagement with said closure to urge the same into closing position, means on said head for rotating said spindle, a sleeve slidable on said spindle, said conical member being attached to said sleeve, a socket in said end member for the reception of the lowermost end of said sleeve, said sleeve being formed at its lower end with an annular space, a spring disposed within said space and seated at one end against the lowermost portion of said socket and at its other end against said sleeve, a beveled cam on said sleeve, an elongated operating member having a pointed end for engagement with said cam and movable transversely of said body to procure movement of said conical member toward the smaller end of said bore, said spring urging said cam into engagement with said operating member.

20. A flow regulating device for beer dispensing systems comprising a hollow body open at one end and having a conical bore therein arranged with its larger end at the open end, a conical member within said bore forming in conjunction therewith a constricted passageway and being oi! a length less than the length of said bore to provide inlet and outlet chambers at the ends of said bore, an inlet communicating with the inlet chamber, an outlet communicating with the outlet chamber, said conical member being insertable into and removable from said bore through the open end of said body, and a closure for the open end of the body.

RICHARD 'I'. CORNELIUS. 

